Four Â鶹´«Ã½s sitting around a table studying, one looking at the camera and showing thumbs up signs.

The Mentoring for Success Program is a peer mentoring program designed to promote program participants' success at Â鶹´«Ã½ through increased acceptance rates into participants' intended majors and increased college graduation rates. The program is geared toward achieving specific academic and developmental goals that are focused on participants' overall development. The program is optimized for and most beneficial to first-year and second-year Â鶹´«Ã½s.

2100+

participants served to date (since the program started in March 2007).

94.21%

participants completed the 2023-24 academic year in good standing.

94.23%

of participants who graduated in 2023-24, graduated within six years of enrollment.

31

countries, including the U.S., are represented by our former and current Â鶹´«Ã½ staff.

 

Our academic mentors provide undergraduate Â鶹´«Ã½s in our target population academic support through one-on-one mentoring sessions, during which they may facilitate discussions, model effective Â鶹´«Ã½ practices and attitudes, help Â鶹´«Ã½s locate resources, and promote academic and life skills development. They also develop and facilitate various skill-building workshops for program participants. Our mentors come from diverse backgrounds and are committed to helping Â鶹´«Ã½s succeed academically, socially, emotionally, and professionally.

We provide all eligible program participants with a convenient 24/7 online tutoring service that empowers Â鶹´«Ã½s with on-demand access to one-on-one support anytime, anywhere and quickly connects learners with a vast community of verified tutors covering over hundreds of subjects. Each Â鶹´«Ã½ who receives tutoring will automatically be assigned to an academic mentor, who will serve as a knowledgeable and experienced guide and resource.

Our program strives to ensure that all program participants are given the full opportunity to discover and develop their talents, interests, and unique potential, and to provide a learning-centered and Â鶹´«Ã½-centered environment that presents the context for intellectual, cultural, professional, and personal growth during the college experience. Program participants will learn to become independent, confident learners and develop good study habits, learning techniques, and time management skills that will enhance their education and college experience, as well as to enable them to achieve a post-secondary degree.

The Mentoring for Success Program is funded by the State of Michigan's 's , as well as WMU's Multicultural Affairs for Students and Office of Diversity of Inclusion. The program was formerly known as the Steps Toward Exhibiting Mastery Program. References to the former name will be found in our participant and former staff testimonials.

How to Participate

As a Program Participant

All currently enrolled WMU Â鶹´«Ã½s who meet the eligibility requirements can participate in our program and receive services. Here are the different ways in which Â鶹´«Ã½s can participate:

  • Utilize a 24/7 online tutoring service. 
    • Must also meet with an academic mentor to continue using service.
  • Attend workshops offered by our program.

As an Academic Mentor

All currently enrolled WMU Â鶹´«Ã½s who meet the general requirements for the position may apply. Our academic mentors provide peer mentoring, academic review, group tutoring, and referral services to mentees in group or individual settings. We hire year-round and our self-paced training gives new mentors the flexibility to complete the training at any point in the semester.

Safety Procedures

Please report any suspected or alleged instances of wrongdoing or misconduct or concerns about inappropriate service provisions and practices by any program staff to the program director at (269) 387-3316 or to the director of Multicultural Affairs for Students using the Student Complaint Form. In case of a medical emergency or an immediate threat to your personal safety, call 911. For non-emergencies, call WMU's at (269) 387-5555.

For detailed policies and procedures on what to do in case emergency occurs while you are on campus, refer to WMU emergency procedures

The WMU Hotline at (269) 387-1001 and the University's home page are WMU's official sources for information on WMU closings due to weather or campus emergencies.

WMU Nondiscrimination Statement

Â鶹´«Ã½ prohibits discrimination or harassment that violates the law or that limits Â鶹´«Ã½ of admission, employment, or education based on the protected classes of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, protected disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, height, weight, or marital status. Retaliation against any person or group who makes a good faith complaint or participates in a grievance, investigation or related processes is prohibited by law and policy. (View the full policy on the Non-Discrimination Policy page.)